Court to decide whether Rabat murder trial should remain suspended

The Magistrates' Court is to decide whether criminal proceedings against murder suspect Noel Azzopardi should proceed after he was declared to be presently insane and unfit to follow the case against him.

Azzopardi stands accused of murdering Eric Borg, who was shot dead in Triq il-Fidloqqom, Rabat, on January 1, 2024. He is denying the charges.

The issue arose before Magistrate Marse Anne Farrugia after the court heard submissions from the prosecution and defence on whether the compilation of evidence should continue. 

Lawyer Arthur Azzopardi, appearing for the accused, argued that under recent legal amendments, once an insanity plea is upheld by the Criminal Court, the compilation of evidence may only resume once Azzopardi’s mental health improves.

The issue follows an insanity trial (ġurin), in which jurors found that Azzopardi was not insane at the time of Borg’s killing but is insane at present.

The Criminal Court subsequently ordered that Azzopardi be treated at Mount Carmel Hospital and that the criminal proceedings against him be suspended because he is currently unfit to follow them.

Murder victim Eric Borg (insert: Facebook) who was shot dead in Rabat. Forensics officer document the site on Triq Fidloqqom, in the area of Nigret. Photo: Matthew Mirabelli

The prosecution, led by lawyers Kaylie Bonett and Kevin Valletta from the Office of the Attorney General, requested that pending reports in the case be preserved in the meantime.

Magistrate Farrugia is expected to deliver her decision in the coming weeks. Lawyer Arthur Azzopardi is assisting the accused.